Brendan Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, finds himself in the middle of a political battle as the NFL season begins. Appearing in a video by Marylanders for Marriage Equality, Ayanbadejo added his voice to their cause.

"I'm Brendon Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. I believe we should be doing everything we can to make Maryland families stronger, which is why I support marriagefor gay and lesbian couples who want to make a lifetime commitment to each other. People from all walks of life, including gay and lesbian couples, want their children to be in stable homes and protected under the law. Join me; it's the right thing to do."

Maryland legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year, but there is a ballot initiative in November, hence the linebacker's support.

Ayanbadejo's support has drawn the ire of Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns (D-Baltimore County). Burns wrote a letter and sent it to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.

"As a Delegate to the Maryland General Assembly and a Baltimore Ravens Football fan, I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo, would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically, as a Ravens Football player. Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other. Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement. I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base."

"I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football Franchise Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employee and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing."

There has been no response from Bisciotti, but Ayanbadejo fired back on Twitter earlier this week.

"Football is just my job it's not who I am. I am an American before anything. And just like every American I have the right to speak!!!" Ayanbadejo posted in a tweet.

On Friday, Ayanbadejo spoke to reporters about the letter and what has transpired.

“I was surprised. Just what our country was founded on, for someone to try to take that away from me, I was pretty surprised that something like that would come up, especially from a politician,” Ayanbadejo said, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The Ravens issued a statement from team president Dick Cass on Friday: “We support Brendon’s right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment.”